Mumbai, March 25 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Housing Minister, Pankaj Bhoyar, announced in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that the government is dedicated to hastening the redevelopment and housing initiatives in the Kamathipura and Umerkhadi regions of South Mumbai, with construction set to begin shortly.

His remarks followed a Calling Attention Motion raised by MLA Amin Patel concerning the matter.

Minister Bhoyar revealed that on January 12, 2023, the government resolved to initiate the cluster redevelopment of aged, deteriorating, and cess-paying structures in Kamathipura.

This initiative aims to offer secure and well-equipped residences to around 8,000 families. A Special Planning Authority was appointed for this project through a notification dated July 9, 2025. Tenders were issued on June 22, 2025, and suitable developers have been selected. Work orders are expected to be released this week, with construction anticipated to commence within the next two months, he noted.

Due to the project's importance, efforts are underway to designate it as a 'Vital Project' with the Housing Minister's and the Chief Minister's consent, added Bhoyar.

According to the minister, the redevelopment of 81 buildings in Umerkhadi will be executed in phases, starting with the first phase involving 36 buildings. Following central grants, Rs 12 crore has already been allocated for protective repairs to 12 buildings, with further funding available as required.

In another development, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed the Legislative Assembly that the government will soon decide to grant ownership rights to about 4,500 houses in the Hinganghat Fail area (Old Survey No. 369) of Pulgaon in Wardha district.

This information came as a response to a Calling Attention Motion by member Rajesh Bakane. Homeowners will receive private title deeds, property cards, and their names will be officially documented in land records. The government is making a significant move to regularize homes built prior to January 1, 2011, stated the minister.

Committees at the Municipal Council level, District Collector committees for Municipal Corporations, and Tehsildar committees for rural regions will be empowered to regularize property cards. He mentioned that past erroneous entries would be annulled, and all official records would be corrected.

Additionally, Bawankule, in response to another Calling Attention Motion from member Devyani Pharande, informed the Legislative Assembly that under the current housing policy, it is obligatory to reserve 20 percent of housing units for Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Group categories in projects exceeding 4,000 square meters.

He also announced that an investigation would be launched into cases within the Nashik Municipal Corporation area, with actions to be taken against those found culpable.

Initial inquiries have uncovered extensive malpractice involving forged maps, fake measurements, and fraudulent documents.

Some developers and officials are alleged to have colluded to circumvent regulations by dividing large plots into smaller sections to evade the 20 percent reservation requirement, thus denying the underprivileged access to housing.

A high-level committee including the Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, and Police Commissioner has been formed, as informed by the minister.

This committee is expected to submit its report within a month, and he assured that stringent action would be taken against the involved developers and officials from the Municipal Corporation and other governmental departments.